Introduction: DIY Mini Drill
Hi guys, this is my first instructable, my english is bad, I take terrible photos, so... :)
In this tutorial I will show you how to make a cheap drill.
Materials
-Compasses
-DC motor
-Terminal block
-Wire
Note: I found that the diameter of the compasses' leg's are 3mm in most cases. So try to find a motor with a 3mm axle, and the holes on the terminal should be 3mm too. With a 3mm terminal you can use any dremel tool, if you replace the "chuck".
Tools
-Screwdriver
Not necessary:
-Electrical tape
-Plier
-Saw
-File
Step 1:
Take apart the compasses, we need the component marked on the picture.
Actually, it is a mini chuck. :)
Step 2:
Now take apart the terminals with a knife. Remove the plastic, we only need the inner metal part.
Step 3:
Mount it on the motor.
Step 4:
Insert the compasses leg into the hole.
I replaced the screws with newer ones.
Step 5:
Now we are ready. :) If you want you can solder wires and a switch to it. I didn't solder them, because I use it with crocodile clips.
You can easily use 2-2.5 mm drills, for the smaller ones you need to put on some electrical tape or thin wire to the drill to fit in the chuck.
Step 6:
Now try it on an old PCB, or something else.
I give 12 volts to it from an old ATX psu.
Step 7:
Here is my first DIY drill, I made it before the instructable. Actually it is the same, but I mounted a push button to it, and I put on some electrical tape so it is more ergonomic. :) I made this for only PCB drilling so this is why the the drill bit is so short.
Step 8: One More Thing - New Screws for the Terminal
So I decided to add more steps, to make our drill better.
Finishing touches...
I didn't like the old one with the two long screws, so I made two mini screws.
First of all, find a screw which fits in your terminal. Put it into a vise or grip it with a plier.(I don't like the original screws, they are "weak")
Then take a saw and cut them or you can use your DIY drill :) - fortunately, all of the dremel tools fit in the terminal.
Step 9: One More Thing
Then cut a small line on the top of the screws.
Step 10: Last Thing
Last step, I promise. :)
Not necessary, but you should do this. Take your mini chuck (the compasses' leg), and place it in a vise or grip it with a plier. Then we need a small metal or diamond file, and you have to make a small flat area on the chucks axle. (The reason why I did this - the screws in the terminal will provide a better grip on a flat area than on a circular axle)
Step 11: The Finished Drill
Now we are ready, I guess. I think it looks better.
Step 12: The Finished-finished Drill
I found a small plastic tube and my motor perfectly fits in it. :) Then I put on some heat shrink pipe, so now it is indeed finished.
36 Comments
9 years ago
I made it, i try to find the compasses but i couldn't, so i try to made the same diameter the two things and it drills pretty sweet, regards from Quetetaro, Mexico.
Reply 6 years ago
Excuse me What type of electronics might I be able to salvage one of these terminal blocks? Can u please list as many common electronics or appliances or etc. as possible. So I can hopefully find one on something I have lying around.? Thank you
Reply 6 years ago
Hey, this i bought it from a hardware store they are used for conecting cables together mechanicaly, maybe in home depot you can find them, good luck, cheers from México
6 years ago
Nice idea! I have similar, mini PCB Drill without a chuck :)
7 years ago
what type of compasses is that?
Reply 7 years ago
Its an engineering compass mainly used by engineers for engineering graphics.
7 years ago
I made it before i seen this article.The motor vibrated as hell, the motors sleeve bearing got damaged and that terminal thing blew up, almost ended it in my eye.These motors rotating too much rpm to make these unbalanced things possible.Just sayin'
7 years ago
great
8 years ago on Introduction
my drill vibrate too
8 years ago
my drill can not poke a hole in popsicle stick an vibrate more can u resolve
8 years ago
can a wall driller or wood drill can be mage with this attachment pls reply
8 years ago on Introduction
nice idea..
8 years ago on Introduction
awesome idea.....it helped me alot....
8 years ago
This is an amazingly helpful instructable
8 years ago
This is an amazingly helpful instructable
9 years ago on Introduction
Really super i ll search 4 this type method last 2 month ,,,thanks
9 years ago on Introduction
Thanks I have been looking at something like this for a while now.
9 years ago on Introduction
This is a ideas interesting
9 years ago on Introduction
Here is the method I used to attach a micro-chuck
to a motor. Maybe it will work for this project.
See the Instructable: https://www.instructables.com/id/Micro-Drill-Press-revision-A/
9 years ago on Introduction
nice